Accelerated Excellence Programme (AEP)

Hosted by: Dr. Anita Maurtin, Director, Strategic Academic Projects Office of the DVC: Academic, UWC.

On 17 July 2026, the Community Engagement Unit team, Ms. Damaris Kiewiets (CEU community liaison officer), Ms. Pearl September-Brown (CEU researcher), and Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk (CEU Acting Director) facilitated a training for UWC’s Accelerated Excellence Programme (AEP) students. (Venues): On the 17th at Krystal Beach Hotel, Gordon’s Bay and on the 18th July, Mandela Day activities at the community Hall, Deepfreeze, Macassar

The training focused on Community Engagement concepts and practice, the Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact, and diversity and engaged leadership. The practical community site visit took place on Mandela Day at the community of Deepfreeze, Macassar. The AEP students facilitated small-group conversations with young people from the community, sharing their own experiences of applying to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and navigating the transition to university life.

By speaking candidly about their journeys, challenges, and successes, they created a space where the young residents could ask questions, share experiences, and begin to imagine themselves following similar pathways. The engagement not only provided practical guidance on accessing higher education but also fostered inspiration and a sense of possibility. The conversations nurtured hope by showing that the path to higher education is shaped by many different journeys, including those that begin in communities like their own.

Word of Thanks: Dr. Anita Maurtin, Director, Strategic Academic Projects Office of the DVC: Academic, Sr. Debbie Myburgh, Department of Health Deepfreeze, Macassar.